PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rufus Shepherd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kirill Chernicin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shepherd comes to the cage accompanied by Alter Bridge - Addicted to pain . This should be fireworks!

Shepherd
vs
Chernicin

180 cm
25
165 lbs
7 - 10 - 0

170 cm
22
150 lbs
4 - 10 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rufus Shepherd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kirill Chernicin!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chernicin tries for a takedown but Shepherd sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Chernicin with a poor takedown
enabling Shepherd to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Kirill Chernicin has been cut.

Shepherd instigates a clinch.
Chernicin takes a knee to the side of the body.
Shepherd missing with knees to the body.
Shepherd prevents Chernicin from breaking the clinch.
Chernicin jumps guard but Shepherd turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Rufus Shepherd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kirill Chernicin.
Shepherd effectively controlling the action here.
Chernicin tries to land a knee to the head but Shepherd blocks with his arms.
Shepherd stalling the fight.
Shepherd lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Shepherd utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Shepherd breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Chernicin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shepherd circles away.
Chernicin tries for a takedown but Shepherd circles away easily

and Shepherd counters with a crisp one two that drops Chernicin! Shepherd thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Chernicin to his feet! Chernicin is in big trouble!

Chernicin is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shepherd throws a sloppy head kick and Chernicin moves out of range easily.
Chernicin is still on wobbly legs! Can Shepherd finish him?
Shepherd looks to land a right hand but Chernicin moved out of range.
Shepherd misses with a wild combination.
Shepherd throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses.
Shepherd throws a head kick that misses.
We've been informed that Chernicin has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Shepherd rushes Chernicin and presses him up against the cage.
Chernicin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Our sources have told us that Shepherd has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Shepherd with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shepherd swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shepherd leaning his opponent against the cage.
Shepherd is breathing heavily.
Chernicin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chernicin blocks an uppercut.
Shepherd throws a punch but it's blocked by Chernicin.
Shepherd swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shepherd tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Shepherd working aggressively here.
Shepherd misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shepherd pushes off an throws an elbow but Chernicin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Shepherd tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Chernicin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shepherd with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shepherd misses with a punch on the inside.
Shepherd tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Chernicin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shepherd blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Chernicin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shepherd fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Chernicin doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shepherd counters with a head kick that wobbles Chernicin - left then right he sways and one more bomb from Shepherd sends him down. This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rufus Shepherd!
During a confident post fight interview, Rufus Shepherd thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.